Arm, leg, and body stretching device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a modular component leg, arm, and body-stretching device. It includes a main winding component having a handle and at least one cable functionally connected to and capable of being wound toward the handle. The handle contains a one directional winding mechanism and a trigger, wherein when the trigger is depressed, the cable advances toward the handle. The handle also has a release mechanism to release the cable from the winding mechanism. The main winding component has an auxiliary component attachment at one end thereof for attachment, directly or indirectly, of a foot or hand auxiliary component. The foot auxiliary component is for leg and body exercise, and may be a loop or may be a rigid base for placement of a foot thereon, with a foot securing mechanism to hold a foot in place. The hand auxiliary component is for arm and body exercises, and includes a handle for placement of a hand thereon and has at least one main winding component attachment mechanism for attachment to the cable. There may also be a yoke for connection between the main component and the auxiliary components.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/022,449, filed on Dec. 17, 2002, by thesame inventor herein, and entitled “Modular Component Arm, Leg, and BodyStretching Device.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to exercise devices for arm, leg,and body stretches. More specifically, the present invention relates toa modular component device which contains a main winding component andseparate foot and hand components which are removably attachable to themain winding component. Thus, a user may rely upon the same physicalmechanism to perform leg and body stretches and arm stretches byinterchanging the other modular components.

[0004] 2. Information Disclosure Statement

[0005] The following patents are representative of the state of the artfor leg, arm, and body stretching devices:

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,592 describes a leg multi-muscle stretchapparatus for physical therapy that includes a foot carriage mounted toa carriage guide track and permitting the foot carriage to move back andforth along a foot carriage path, for therapeutically stretching a userfoot and user leg with reciprocating motion, and a user supportstructure pivotally connected the carriage track. The apparatuspreferably additionally includes user handle grips and two elongate armmembers pivotally connected to the carriage guide track, where thehandle grips are connected to the elongate arm members. The user supportstructure preferably includes a platform structure including twoparallel and laterally spaced apart beam members and a planar web memberextending between and supported by the beam members. The apparatuspreferably additionally includes two cable and cable pulley mechanisms,each including a series of cables forming a cable loop extending alongthe user support structure, along the carriage guide track and along thearm members, and then back to the user support structure, and a seriesof pulleys rotatably mounted to the user support structure and to thecarriage guide track for guiding the cable loop being connected to thefoot carriage to reciprocate with the foot carriage.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,868 describes an exercise device including anelongated upright ladder section which has at an upper end a bodysupport section. There is a base adapted to rest on a horizontal surfaceand support in a stable, vertical orientation the upright section. Thebody support section includes a seat rest support member orientedsubstantially horizontally and adapted to be sat upon by a user and asecond support member spaced from the seat rest support member andadapted to be gripped by the user with either legs or hands depending onthe exercise being performed. A generally flat, planar, back support hasits upper end pivotally mounted to the seat rest support member and alower free end movable between a first position where the back supportis generally vertical and a second position where the back supportpivots and is at an acute angle with respect to the upright section.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,197 describes the present invention thatrelates to exercise equipment, more particularly to an exercise machinethat gives the exerciser a variety of movements based on a singleconcept (that of the pivot), working the whole body without having tochange equipment. The apparatus includes a frame having a seat, avertically extending rod pivotally coupled to the frame and a handlepivotally coupled to the end of the rod. The dual pivoting connectionsfacilitate an exercise movement similar to the paddling motion used witha kayak.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,154 describes an exercise device that has twoside bars each comprising a longitudinal segment extending between frontand rear legs. The angle and length of the front and rear legs producesan incline of the longitudinal segment. The angle of incline is variablebecause the front and rear legs are separately adjustable in length.Slip locks selectively lock each leg at a desired length. Cross barsconnected between the side bars by quick release locks. A centrallongitudinal bar parallel to the side bars extends between a selectedtwo of the cross bars and is connected thereto by quick release locks.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,697 describes a physical exercising devicethat is provided compromising a padded wedge-shaped base and astring-biased metal exercise bar. The exercise bar is attached near thewedge's apex and extends lengthwise parallel to the device at apredetermined distance from the wedge. The physical exercising devicehas its base formed from a lightweight material and additionally mayhave its body support surfaces covered with a layer of carpet or foampadding. The spring which has its one end attached to the exercise barhas its opposite end secured to the end panel of the wedge-shaped baseto provide a biasing force. The ends of the metal bar are insertedthrough apertures in the end panel and terminate in the interior of thephysical exercising device. The exercise bar may be of a unitary pieceof tubular metal or a single metal tube with two gripping portions whichmay or my not be independently operable.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,404 describes a leg stretching exercisedevice which has two platforms, each adapted to support a foot of anexerciser. Each platform is provided with ball casters which providesupport and allow free movement in a mutual plane. The platforms areattached so they may be placed in touching relationship and moved aparta predetermined distance by the exerciser. A rope connects a singlepoint on each platform. The connecting rope defines a loop which passesthrough eyelets, secured to each platform. An adjustable connection isprovided for varying the size of the loop as desired.

[0012] Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neithertaught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is a modular component leg, arm, andbody-stretching device. It includes a main winding component having ahandle and at least one cable functionally connected to and capable ofbeing wound toward said handle. The handle contains a ratcheted windingreel mechanism and a trigger wherein when the trigger is depressed, thereel winds the cable toward the handle. The handle also has a releasemechanism to release a ratchet of the reel so as to permit the unwindingof the cable away from the handle. The cable has an auxiliary componentattachment at one end thereof for attachment, directly or indirectly, ofa foot or hand auxiliary component. The foot auxiliary component is forleg and body exercise, and has a rigid base for placement of a footthereon, having a foot securing mechanism to hold a foot in place. Thereis also at least one attachment on the foot auxiliary component forconnection with the cable. The hand auxiliary component is alsoattachable to the cable, for arm and body exercises, and includes ahandle for placement of a hand thereon and has at least one cableattachment for connection to the cable. There may also be a yoke forconnection between the main component and the auxiliary components.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, there is only amain winding component with either an auxiliary foot component or anauxiliary hand component, while in other embodiments, both an auxiliaryfoot component and an auxiliary hand component are included.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the securing meansof the foot auxiliary component is a flexible loop or a rigid yoke (likea stirrup), while in other embodiments it may be a rigid base with meansfor attachment to a foot. In other embodiments, the foot auxiliarycomponent includes a toe attachment means located on a front area of therigid base. In other embodiments of the present invention modularcomponent leg and body stretching device, the securing means of the footauxiliary component is two separate side attachment means, one beinglocated on a first side of a rigid base and another being located on asecond side of the rigid base, and located opposite one another. Inother preferred present invention embodiments, the toe and the two-sideattachment means are all included.

[0016] In some preferred present invention embodiments, there is a yokehaving three separate elongated members, each having a first and asecond end and being connected to one another at the first end andhaving means for attachment to the main advance plate component thefirst end, and each being unconnected to one another at its second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1a shows a front view of one preferred embodiment of a mainwinding component of a present invention modular component leg, arm, andbody stretching device with a hand auxiliary component attached thereto,and in FIG. 1a, with a foot auxiliary component attached thereto;

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a front view of a present invention hand auxiliarycomponent in a partially cut view to reveal internal working aspects ofthe ratchets and reel:

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a cut partial view of another present invention mainadvance plate component, illustrating alternative internal mechanicalfeatures;

[0021]FIG. 4 illustrates an interconnecting yoke which is an optionalcomponent utilized in the present invention;

[0022]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a top view and a partial, cut rear view of onepreferred embodiment of the present invention auxiliary foot component;

[0023]FIG. 7 shows a side partial view of an alternative embodimentauxiliary foot component of the present invention device;

[0024]FIG. 8 shows a side partial view of another alternative embodimentauxiliary foot component of the present invention device; and,

[0025]FIG. 9 shows an alternative preferred embodiment main advanceplate component of a present invention device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1a, but using the same main windingcomponent shown in FIG. 1a to operate the partially illustrated aspectsof FIG. 1b, there is shown a present invention modular componentstretching device main winding component 1. This is the functionalelement of the present invention and FIG. 1a shows a single cablepreferred embodiment. Thus, main winding component 1 includes a housing3 with a handle 7 and a trigger 9 for grasping by a user's fingers.Thus, handle 7 is grasped with the hand, with the fingers curled towardthe palm area around trigger 9 when in use.

[0027] There is a single one way cable 15 which passes through housing3. By “one way” is meant that is functionally advanced in one direction(toward housing 3) by trigger 9 activation. It is capable of being movedin the opposite direction manually by sliding when a release is applied.Cable 15 is connected to an internal reel (not shown) inside housing 3.As its second end 25 is an attachment ring 27, comprising an auxiliarycomponent attachment means. This is used to attach foot auxiliarycomponents for leg and body stretching exercises, as well as handauxiliary components for arm and body stretching exercises.

[0028] Winding reel movement is accomplished by repeat squeezing oftrigger 9 to advance cable 15 so as to move second end 25 toward housing3. Release button 29 holds cable 15 and the ratchets and reel frommoving end 25 away from housing 3, but permits moving end 25 towardhousing 3 when trigger 9 is squeezed. When button 29 is squeezed tounlock a ratchet and release the reel and cable 15, second end 25 may bepulled away from housing 3 to reset it for subsequent use. Release ofbutton 29 allows a spring (not shown) to automatically relock button 29to only permit one way movement (toward housing 3) of cable 15.

[0029]FIG. 1a also shows one type of hand auxiliary component 50 used inthe present invention device. Component 50 includes a handle member 51with optional finger grooves 53, 55, 57 and 59 and grip 61 as shown. Onthe opposite side is hook 63 for attachment to ring 27 of cable 15 ofmain winding component of FIG. 1a. When main winding component 1 andhand auxiliary component 50 are connected to one another, a user mayhold handle 7 in one hand and component 50 in the other hand, and whileholding the device as such, may move the hands overhead and behind theback with the arm of the hand of handle 7 outstretched. The user maythen repeatedly compress trigger 9 to shorten the distance of second end25 and housing 3 to effect arm and upper body stretching. Depression ofrelease button 29 will release the tension when the user has completedthe stretching exercises.

[0030]FIG. 1b shows a partial cut view which includes cable 15 whichextends from main winding component 1 of FIG. 1a, but cut from FIG. 1b.It is connected to foot auxiliary component 350. This includes hook 363connected to ring 27, and forms a rigid or flexible loop or yoke forbare foot or covered foot insertion. Thus, loop 351 includes a base area359 and rounded sides, such as rounded side 353, for more accuratefitage and comfort.

[0031] The ring 27 and hook 63 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 could easily besubstituted with any known attachment/detachment mechanism withoutexceeding the scope of the present invention. Likewise, the particularhandle design, advance plate mechanism and release mechanism could bedesigned in a different fashion or placed in a different positionwithout exceeding the scope of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of, and the working mechanism of amain winding component of the present invention. The FIG. 2 component 41of the present invention comprises a cable 45 having a front endextending beyond the shown truncated end, with an attachment means forattachment of an auxiliary component thereto, such as described aboveand below. It has a rear end attached to reel 47. Both reel 47 andratchet wheel 19 are interlocked and travel together. Trigger 29 issqueezed to cause winding bar 71's pushing end 73 to advance (wind)ratchet wheel 19 and take-up reel 47 one ratchet forward. This enablestrigger action to wind in cable 45 toward body 13 of component 41. Thereis a spring 75 that maintains trigger 29 in its firing position andenables reel 47 and ratchet reel 19 to rotate counterclockwise and to“pull” cable 45 away from body 13.

[0033] However, pawl 21 acts as a release mechanism. Pawl 21 is biasedby a spring (not shown) to be in the position shown in FIG. 2. In thisposition shown, pawl 21 locks the ratchets to permit only clockwise(winding) movement and to prevent counterclockwise (unwinding) movement.When lever 43 is moved counterclockwise, it moves pawl 21 away from theratchets and permits reel movement in both directions, but especially topermit unwinding of cable 45 to reset for reuse.

[0034] Cable 45 is shown as a high pull test polymer cord, but could bewoven or unwoven synthetic or natural cable, metal, plastic-coatedmetal, or chain, or strap (e.g. leather or nylon web), or any otherequivalent high strength, elongated, flexible, windable material orcombinations of materials. By use of the aforesaid components with footand hand auxiliary components, the device is used to move feet towardsthe shoulders in the lying back position, to bring an arm swing behindthe neck to its maximum stretch, etc. The trigger may be squeezedrapidly or, move preferably, slowly, even over a timed period. By thesemovements, foot and/or arm, and/or body stretching exercises may beachieved.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, another present invention main windingcomponent 30 is shown. It differs from the FIG. 2 embodiment in that ithas a hollow looped handle 32, through which cable 25 extends.Otherwise, aspects identical to those of FIG. 2 are identicallynumbered.

[0036] In this FIG. 3 embodiment, cable 23 travels from the reel 47,over pulley wheel 35 and out the center of loop handle 32 to providecenter balance of the cable 23 relative to the hard position of a userwhen component 30 is held. The component 30 otherwise operates likecomponents 1 and 41, shown in FIGS. 1a and 2, respectively, anddescribed with respect to FIG. 2.

[0037]FIG. 4 illustrates a yoke 85, which is sometimes used inconnection with an auxiliary foot component, but may be used with anauxiliary hand component (such as for extra reach) or could even beattached to a wall eyelet for other exercises such as tilted upper armand body exercises. Yoke 85 includes three separate elongated members87, 89, and 91. They are connected to one another at the top end withhook 93 affixed thereto and with hook 95, 97, and 99 at the oppositeends. Elongated members, 87, 89, and 91 may be flexible or rigid, but ifrigid, should be hingeable at hook 93. Further details on yoke 85's usesare set forth below.

[0038]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a top and cut end view, respectively, of anauxiliary foot component 100 of the present invention. Identical partsare identically numbered in FIGS. 5 and 6. Auxiliary foot component 100includes a rigid base 101 with a front hook 103 and side eyelets 105 and107, opposing one another. Hook 103 is fixed and eyelets 105 and 107 arespringloaded and adjustable by front or back movement in tracks 109 and11, respectively. There is a set of foot straps 113 and 115, withbuckles 121 and 123, as well as heel strap 117 for attachment to a foot.This foot mechanism is included for attachment of auxiliary footcomponent 100 to a foot, but any known attachment mechanism could beused without exceeding the scope of the present invention. For example,boots could be affixed to rigid base 101, instead of the straps.Alternatively, quick release buckles such as are used on skis or eventhe types of foot securing means found on water skis could be used.

[0039] Hook 103 may be attached directly to attachment ring 27 of mainwinding component 1 shown in FIG. 1 and by operating the main windingcomponent 1 of FIG. 1 to shorten the distance between cable second end25 and housing 3, various leg and body stretching exercises areaccomplished, such as hamstring stretches.

[0040] Alternatively, yoke 85 of FIG. 4 may be used as aninterconnecting member between attachment ring 27 of FIG. 1 and hook 103of FIG. 5.

[0041] For other exercises, hooks 95, 97, and 99 of yoke 85 of FIG. 4may be attached to hook 103 and eyelets 105 and 107 of auxiliary footcomponent 100 of FIG. 5, to create a three-point hitch. For example,this arrangement may be used for spread eagle upper leg and abdominalexercises.

[0042] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention auxiliaryfoot component, wheels such as flat wheels or ball bearing wheels wouldbe included in the walls and/or the bottom of the rigid base asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0043] Referring specifically to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a partial sideview of another embodiment present invention auxiliary foot component140. The heal plate, straps and eyelets and hook described inconjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6 above are included in this embodiment,but are not shown in the figure to avoid confusion. Auxiliary footcomponent 140 includes a handle 143 and a plurality of side wheelsaround its periphery. In this case, these wheels are ballbearing wheels,but could be flat wheels, or any other type of wheels. Rigid base 41 hasballbearing wheels such as wheels 149, 151, and 153 along its side andsimilar wheels such as wheel 47 along its back, as well as along itsfront 145. These wheels enable a user to lay on his or her back or sideand to move the auxiliary foot components with the heals, sides or toesin contact with a floor so as to smoothly roll therealong duringexercises.

[0044]FIG. 8 shows another auxiliary foot component 160, which is thesame as that described for FIG. 7 above except that wheels are alsoincluded on the underside or bottom. Thus, rigid base 161 has a handle163 at its front 165 and wheels such as wheels 167, 169, 171 and 173along its periphery. Bottom wheels are also included such as wheels 175,177 and 179. Besides the uses described above with respect to FIG. 7,this component may be held at handle 163 and rolled around on a floorfor arm and body exercises.

[0045]FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment present invention mainwinding component 200. In this case, it has two sets of cables insteadof one. Housing 201 has a right side 203 and a left side 205. Each sidehas its own cable 213 and 215, respectively, with separate releases 209and 211. Handle squeeze trigger 207 has internal ratchet wheels andtake-up reels in both left and right sides to simultaneously move cables213 and 215. While this embodiment involves more parts and is moreexpensive to construct, it does offer more strength and balance for someexercise arrangements.

[0046] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular component leg and body stretchingdevice, which comprises: (a) a main winding plate component having ahandle and at least one cable functionally connected to and capable ofbeing wound into said handle, said handle containing a ratcheted windingreel mechanism and a trigger wherein when said trigger is depressed,said advance reel winds said at least one cable toward said 110 handle,said handle also having a release mechanism to release a ratchet of saidreel so as to permit unwinding of said at least one cable from saidreel, said cable having auxiliary component attachment means at one endthereof, and, (b) a foot auxiliary component attachable to saidattachment means of said at least one cable for leg and body exercise,said foot auxiliary component having a base for placement of a footthereon, and having at least one main winding component attachment meansfor attachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable. 2.The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1 whereinsaid base is a rigid base and said foot auxiliary component includesfoot securing means to hold said base to a foot.
 3. The modularcomponent leg and body stretching device of claim 2 wherein saidsecuring means of said foot auxiliary component is two separate sideattachment means, one being located on a first side of said rigid baseand another being located on a second side of said rigid base, andlocated opposite one another.
 4. The modular component leg and bodystretching device of claim 2 wherein said securing means of said footauxiliary component includes a toe attachment means located on a frontarea of said rigid base and at least two separate side attachment means,one being located on a first side of said rigid base and another beinglocated on a second side of said rigid base, and located opposite oneanother.
 5. The modular component leg and body stretching device ofclaim 4 wherein which further includes: (a) a yoke having three separateelongated members, each having a first and a second end and beingconnected to one another at said first end and having means forattachment to said main winding component at said first end, and eachbeing unconnected to one another at said second end.
 6. The modularcomponent leg and body stretching device of claim 1 wherein said mainwinding component has two cables.
 7. The modular component leg and bodystretching device of claim 1 wherein one of said auxiliary componentattachment means and said main winding component attachment means is aneyelet and the other is a hook adapted to connect to said eyelet.
 8. Themodular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1 wherein saidfoot auxiliary component further includes a handle extended over aportion of a top of said component, and a plurality of wheels on itsunderside thereof for handle-held prone arm and body exercises.
 9. Themodular component leg and arm body stretching device of claim 1 whereinsaid base for placement of a foot thereon is a loop.
 10. A modularcomponent arm and body stretching device, which comprises: (a) a mainwinding component having a handle and at least one cable functionallyconnected to and capable of being wound into said handle, said handlecontaining a ratcheted winding reel mechanism and a trigger wherein whensaid trigger is depressed, said advance reel winds said at least onecable toward said handle, said handle also having a release mechanism torelease a ratchet of said reel so as to permit unwinding of said atleast one cable from said reel, said cable having auxiliary componentattachment means at one end thereof; and, (b) a hand auxiliary componentattachable to said attachment means of said at least one cable for armand body exercises, said hand auxiliary component having a handle forplacement of a hand thereon and having at least one main windingcomponent attachment means for attachment to said attachment means ofsaid at least one cable.
 11. The modular component arm and bodystretching device of claim 10 wherein said hand auxiliary componentincludes a handle, a rigid brace member connected to said handle and atleast one attachment means connected to said rigid brace member forattachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable.
 12. Themodular component arm and body stretching device of claim 10 wherein oneof said auxiliary component attachment means and said main advance platecomponent attachment means is an eyelet and the other is a hook adaptedto connect to said eyelet.
 13. A modular component leg, arm, and bodystretching device, which comprises: (a) a main winding component havinga handle and at least one cable functionally connected to and capable ofbeing wound into said handle, said handle containing a ratcheted windingreel mechanism and a trigger wherein when said trigger is depressed,said advance reel winds said at least one cable toward said handle, saidhandle also having a release mechanism to release a ratchet of said reelso as to permit unwinding of said at least one cable from said reel,said cable having auxiliary component attachment means at one endthereof; (b) a foot auxiliary component attachable to said attachmentmeans of said at least one cable for leg and body exercise, said footauxiliary component having a base for placement of a foot thereon, andhaving at least one main winding component attachment means forattachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable; and, (c)a hand auxiliary component attachable to said attachment means of saidat least one cable for arm and body exercises, said hand auxiliarycomponent having a handle for placement of a hand thereon and having atleast one main winding component attachment means for attachment to saidattachment means of said at least one cable.
 14. The modular componentleg, arm, and body stretching device of claim 13 wherein said base is arigid base and said foot auxiliary component includes foot securingmeans to hold said base to a foot.
 15. The modular component leg, arm,and body stretching device of claim 14 wherein said securing means ofsaid foot auxiliary component is two separate side attachment means, onebeing located on a first side of said rigid base and another beinglocated on a second side of said rigid base, and located opposite oneanother.
 16. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching deviceof claim 14 wherein said securing means of said foot auxiliary componentincludes a toe attachment means located on a front area of said rigidbase and at least two separate side attachment means, one being locatedon a first side of said rigid base and another being located on a secondside of said rigid base, and located opposite one another.
 17. Themodular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of claim 16wherein which further includes: (a) a yoke having three separateelongated members, each having a first and a second end and beingconnected to one another at said first end and having means forattachment to said main component at said first end, and each beingunconnected to one another at said second end.
 18. The modular componentleg, arm, and body stretching device of claim 13 wherein one of saidauxiliary component attachment means and said main winding componentattachment means is an eyelet and the other is a hook adapted to connectto said eyelet.
 19. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretchingdevice of claim 13 wherein said foot auxiliary component furtherincludes a handle extended over a portion of a top of said component,and a plurality of wheels on its underside thereof for handle-held pronearm and body exercises.
 20. The modular component leg, arm, and bodystretching device of claim 13 wherein said hand auxiliary componentincludes a handle, a rigid brace member connected to said handle and atleast one attachment means connected to said rigid brace member forattachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable.